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GREEN BAY, Wis. Matt Breida Jersey . - The Detroit Lions are so close to ending a two-decade stretch without a division title.The Green Bay Packers have been so good that its a surprise when they dont win the NFC North.Upstarts vs. standard-bearers. Tackle Ndamukong Suh and one of the leagues top defences against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the potent Packers offence. The winner of Sundays showdown between Detroit and Green Bay at Lambeau Field takes the NFC North championship and a first-round bye in the playoffs.Both teams (11-4) are already guaranteed post-season berths. But the loser gets relegated to a road game next week as a wild card.The winner gets some needed rest and a guaranteed home game in two weeks. Thats considered a huge advantage in the post-season.Yeah, theres a lot on the line. Its an opportunity to win our fourth straight division title, which would be pretty sweet. We get a chance for a bye, which would be great to get some rest for all of us, Rodgers said. A home playoff game is the most important thing; thats what we play for every year.According to the Packers, this will be the first time that teams each with 11 wins will play in a regular-season finale to determine a division champion since Dallas and the New York Giants met in 1993. The Cowboys won that game — and went on to win the Super Bowl.That year is also the last time Detroit won a division title. This often-forlorn franchise has been to the post-season just once since 2000, a 45-28 loss to New Orleans in the wild-card round in the 2011 campaign.One of the things that we talk to them about is the fact that this doesnt happen very often, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said when asked Sundays game will mean to his players.And hes just talking about the playoffs.If Detroit wins the North, it would have earned the title by snapping a 23-game losing streak against Green Bay in Wisconsin. The last time the Lions left the state happy was a 21-17 victory at Lambeau on Dec. 15, 1991.Thats so long ago that Hall of Famer Barry Sanders was still Detroits running back, gaining 85 yards. So forgive the Lions if theyre more pumped up than usual this weekend.The guys have fought some real battles and have done a tremendous job and weve got a great opportunity ahead of us, Caldwell said. And do you expect them to be a little off the ground here in the next couple of days in intensity and focus? Absolutely, because obviously were playing a great team in a historic place.Some key areas to watch on Sunday:AARONS HEALTH: The Packers practiced Tuesday, a typical day off, to get Christmas off on Thursday. Rodgers was hoping the late-week rest would help him get over a sore left calf that he strained last week against Tampa, not to mention a lingering head cold.Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the league in extending plays, and his mobility could come in handy, especially against Detroits smothering defence. Both Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy were confident the Pro Bowl quarterback would be able to run the full game plan against Detroit.PICKY LIONS: Rodgers has been especially successful at Lambeau, where he has thrown 396 times and 34 straight touchdown passes without an interception — both NFL records. Rodgers last interception at Lambeau came Dec. 2, 2012.An improved Detroit secondary features safety Glover Quin, who leads the league with seven picks. Fellow safety James Ihedigbo has four interceptions, and the Lions have had 12 straight games with a pick.One impressive streak is going to end.SITTING OUT: Lions centre Dominic Raiola lost his appeal of a one-game suspension for stepping on Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson last week, meaning hell have to sit out Sundays game.Rookie Travis Swanson is next on the depth chart at centre. He might be matched up against defensive lineman Mike Daniels, one of the keys to the Packers improved play of late against the rush.RUNNING MEN: Welcome back, Reggie Bush. The veteran, who has been slowed by injuries this season, had seven carries for 54 yards and a touchdown last week against the Bears, while also catching six passes for 44 yards.The Packers running game has improved in the second half of the season following a sluggish start, which included a 76-yard outing in the Week 3 loss at Detroit. Eddie Lacy, who is over the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season, and James Starks will have to earn yards against the Lions stout run defence.CLAY-MAKER: Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is on a pass-rushing roll with 5 1/2 sacks in his last three games to get to 10 on the season.The one thing you look for more important than the sacks is the pressure thats being generated, and I felt myself around the quarterback a lot these last several games, Matthews said.Green Bay has 10 sacks overall in its last two games.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP Nick Mullens Jersey . Villa has already confirmed his short-term deal and the Daily Mirror reported early Tuesday that Lampard will join him as both build up match fitness ahead of moves to the new Major League Soccer franchise New York City. KWaun Williams Jersey . -- Marty Havlat scored three goals for the first time in nearly nine years, and the San Jose Sharks prevented Colorado from clinching the Central Division title with a 5-1 victory over the Avalanche on Friday night. http://www.officialsanfrancisco49ersfootball.com/authentic-jimmie-ward-jersey-womens . The 40-year-old midfielder was put in charge on Tuesday when David Moyes reign ended after 10 months with the defending champions in seventh place in the English Premier League.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Ann Mara, the matriarch of the NFLs New York Giants for the past 60 years, has died. She was 85. Giants co-owner John Mara announced his mothers death on Super Bowl Sunday. Ann Mara slipped in front of her home in Rye, New York, during an ice storm two weeks ago and was hospitalized with a head injury the following day. While there were initial hopes for recovery, John Mara said, complications developed and she died early Sunday surrounded by her family. Ann Mara and her children owned 50 per cent of the Giants, one of the founding families of the league, since the death of her husband, Hall of Famer Wellington Mara, in 2005. While she was not active in daily operations, her opinion was valued greatly. Mrs. Mara was a tower of strength, dignity and inspiration for her family and all of us in the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. Her family and the Giants organization have always reflected Mrs. Maras competitive spirit, integrity, and wonderful sense of humour. Our thoughts and prayers are with John Mara and the entire Mara family. Ann Mara was a prominent philanthropist who supported educational organizations. Mara also helped children with cancer through the Ronald McDonald House of New York. In November, she dedicated the opening of a new building for the San Miguel Academy for children at risk, which was built through the NFL Snowflake Foundation. Three days before MetLife Stadium — the home of the Giants and Jets — was the site of the Super Bowl last year, Ann Mara received the Paul J. Tagliabue Award of Excellence. It is presented to a league or team executive who demonstrates the integrity and leadership that he exhibited in career development opportunities for minority candidates and advocacy for diversity on the league and club level when he was NFL commissioner. She has been the leader of our family in every way, and we will miss her dearly, John Mara said. Married to Wellington Mara in 1954 after a chance meeting in a Roman Cattholic church, Ann Mara attended almost every Giants home and away game. Aaron Burbridge Jersey. She was a fierce defender of the team. After the Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 NFC Championship game en route to their fourth Super Bowl title, she approached Fox broadcaster and Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, poking his arm to get his attention. You never pick the Giants, Ann Mara said. Bradshaw turned toward the camera and said, I know. I know. Im sorry. Im getting hammered for not picking the Giants. Ann Mara, sometimes referred to as The First Lady of Football, also let her sons know how she felt. Three of them work in the Giants front office. Along with John, Chris is the senior vice-president of player evaluation and Frank is the vice-president of community relations. She used to like to remind John Mara that youre an employee. When the Giants missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year this past season, John Mara, who serves as president and chief executive, was asked how his mother felt. She is not very happy with me right now, believe me, John Mara said. She suffers through this probably even more so than I do. I am on notice as well. Current and former Giants players reacted to the death on social media. Rest in Peace Mrs. Mara. My prayers also for The Mara family. What a great woman!!!! wrote current Oakland Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck, a member of the 2008 and 2012 Giants Super Bowl champions. Giants safety Antrel Rolle called Ann Mara an angel and a blessing in his five years with the team. I absolutely love this woman! She had a smile that would brighten anyones day. She was our fighter & backbone, Rolle tweeted. Born Ann Mumm in New York City on June 18, 1929, Mara is survived by 11 children, 43 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. One of her grandchildren, Chris daughter Rooney Mara, was nominated for an Oscar for best actress for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in 2012. Funeral plans are pending. China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '
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